This guide provides you with several ways to improve Windows Hello Face Recognition in Windows 10 and Windows 11. It explains common issues with Windows Hello, and how you can troubleshoot and resolve Windows Hello face recognition that has stopped working.
What is Windows Hello?
Windows Hello allows you to log in without your password using biometric authentication or a PIN, saving you from having to type your password to log in to your device. This is made possible by your Windows device’s trusted platform module (TPM), which securely stores biometric and PIN authentication data locally, improving security by reducing the amount of time your credentials are entered and transmitted.
Windows Hello is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11 and works with Microsoft online accounts and enterprise systems including Windows domain authentication. Third-party app developers can also integrate Windows Hello authentication into their products.
Face recognition in Windows Hello for Windows 10 and Windows 11
Windows Hello allows you to unlock your device using facial recognition, provided your device includes a TPM and an infra-red web camera.
Common issues with Windows Hello face recognition
Windows Hello itself is highly secure and prevents unauthorized access to your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device. However, some users face difficulties when logging in and have to resort to using their password or PIN. This is usually caused by:
- Poor performance: The device is slow to recognize faces
- Inconsistent recognition: Windows Hello doesn’t recognize the owner of the device or account
- Changes to your appearance: New glasses, a haircut, and other changes to your appearance may ‘disguise’ you
Steps to improve Windows Hello face recognition
You can take the following steps to optimize and improve Windows Hello face recognition.
Optimize your environment
Windows Hello relies on your webcam to see you. You should make sure your camera has a clear, unobstructed view of your face (or where your face will be when you sit down at your desk). You should also make sure your work area is well-lit, with even lighting (no bright lights shining into the camera) — while infra-red should mean face recognition works regardless of the ambient light level, some hardware performs better than others.
Your camera lens should also be clean, as smudges or fingerprints will prevent Windows Hello from being able to see you properly.
If your device is managed by your school or in an enterprise environment, and your IT administrator has enabled enhanced anti-spoofing, poorly lit areas may be an increased problem for Windows Hello face recognition due to an increased standard for recognition.
Keep your system and drivers updated
You should keep your system updated using Windows Update to ensure the hardware Windows Hello relies on is using the latest drivers for improved compatibility, performance, and security.
Improve face recognition for Windows Hello in Windows 10
If Windows Hello facial recognition is consistently failing, you may need to recalibrate it using the Improve recognition feature.
To do this on Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Start menu and open Settings
- Select Accounts and then Sign in options
- Scroll down to the Windows Hello section and click Improve recognition under Face recognition
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided to improve face recognition in Windows Hello
Recalibrate face recognition for Windows Hello in Windows 11
On Windows 11, Improve recognition can be found by following these instructions:
- Right-click on the Start button and open the Settings app
- Navigate to Accounts, then select Sign-in options
- Scroll to Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and select Improve recognition
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided
Enhancing Windows Hello recognition: Troubleshooting tips and best practices
To further enhance the reliability of Windows Hello, you can implement the following best practices and troubleshooting steps:
- Regularly recalibrate Windows Hello by using the Improve recognition features.
- Take multiple face scans: Glasses on and off, different hairstyles, facial expressions – and take several scans with different lighting (for example, at different times of day). This will help Windows Hello recognize you faster and more reliably under different conditions.
- Disable and re-enable the camera you use for Windows Hello face recognition in the Device Manager.
- Manually update the drivers for your camera device.
If you are using a managed device, you can also contact your organization’s IT team to see if they can assist you with getting Windows Hello configured correctly.
FAQ
Can I use Windows Hello Face Recognition with glasses?
Yes, you can set up Windows Hello Face Recognition to recognize you with or without your glasses.
What should I do if my camera doesn’t support Windows Hello?
If your camera does not support Windows Hello face recognition, you will either need to purchase an external USB camera that does, or rely on a different authentication method such as a PIN.
Is Windows Hello face recognition safe and secure?
Yes, Windows Hello uses strong hardware encryption and is considered to be more secure than password authentication.
Managing Windows authentication in enterprise networks
Security isn’t just about authentication: If a device is lost or stolen, it must be encrypted so that others cannot read the data on it by taking out the hard drive and bypassing Windows authentication. Devices also need to be secured from malware and online threats that aren’t protected by Windows built-in security measures, and users need to be trained and safeguarded against phishing and other social engineering attacks.
Remote monitoring and management (RMM) by NinjaOne streamlines IT operations by giving support teams centralized oversight over their organization’s entire IT infrastructure. User devices can be configured for the best security, including enabling Windows Hello face recognition for Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. The effectiveness of Windows Hello can be maintained by ensuring that it is enabled on all supported hardware, that all device drivers are up-to-date, and that authentication methods are correctly configured.
